Good News 14: Keeping our spirits up, just a bit longer.

[hugoagogo]

Thought it was a long time since any good news was shared on this thread so here's some to cheer everyone up.

apple.news/AKd6nTPRdQN6Q0e4y-sQ7aQ

@maxiflump1 thank you for this! God I really hope that’s true xx

@maxiflump1. I think this is already beginning to be the case, so many people have cold/flu symptoms now that’s not covid, but similar symptoms. Looks like the scientists were right when they said flu would be more prevalent autumn/winter.

Not sure if anyone has posted this :

Interesting tweet from Mac n Chise:

mobile.twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1442485758728753153

The pandemic should be over by the middle of next year, with enough vaccines for everyone on the planet . I do hope this is true, some countries are still suffering badly.
www.businessinsider.com/covid-19-pandemic-end-next-year-vaccine-makers-say-2021-9?r=US&IR=T

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/01/covid-antiviral-pill-halves-hospitalisations-and-deaths-maker-says

Covid antiviral pill halves hospitalisations and deaths, maker says

If approved, Merck’s drug would be first simple oral medication shown to be effective against coronavirus

@herecomesthsun

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/01/covid-antiviral-pill-halves-hospitalisations-and-deaths-maker-says

Covid antiviral pill halves hospitalisations and deaths, maker says

If approved, Merck’s drug would be first simple oral medication shown to be effective against coronavirus

I posted this same news a few minutes ago. Why is MNHQ taking a look at it?

no idea, I didn't see your original post

looks like Good News to me!

Still following the thread and appreciating the positives!
My lovely mum and dad had their booster jabs yesterday - no queues, all good.

Just posting to keep this thread alive. I could do with cheering up as I'm getting wobbly about being in seminar rooms with people who think the pandemic is over. (I hope that's not against the spirit of this thread).

Someone on this evening's news seemed to have a positive spin: we've had a slow hard time of it this late summer and autumn so that winter won't be so bad. Any thoughts on the truth of this, clever people?

Covid: Vaccines '90% effective' at preventing Delta variant deaths www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58987835

I don't think I've posted on this thread but it's been a source of comfort to me over the last year - just wanted to say I've had my booster and my flu jab, and the medical centre was bustling with people getting protected and wearing masks!

Agree we need this thread, will make more effort to post.

I've had my booster (work in NHS).

Excellent to hear about people getting boosters. I think it counts as good news that there are rumours of boosters being brought forward for over 50s. And that they're extremely effective, by all accounts.

Those eligible for a booster, i.e. in the approved category, plus 6 months and one week from their second vaccine dose, can now book online if they haven't heard from GP already.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/book-or-manage-a-booster-dose-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/

Cases 13k down on last Monday today

Was sent this today via aGoogle news suggestion -

www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00448-4/fulltext

Effect of early treatment with fluvoxamine on risk of emergency care and hospitalisation among patients with COVID-19: the TOGETHER randomised, platform clinical trial

Treatment with fluvoxamine (100 mg twice daily for 10 days) among high-risk outpatients with early diagnosed COVID-19 reduced the need for hospitalisation defined as retention in a COVID-19 emergency setting or transfer to a tertiary hospital.

Interesting, needs further trials, was fairly small.

COVID-19 cases in the UK are DOWN 24% week on week. Information from "Chise", via: coronavstats.co.uk, on Twitter

Some more positive stats.

Just here to add..

A few weeks ago we had huge case numbers and numbers of people in hospital was about the same as it was at the same point last year both about 8k.

Now we have 9.5k in hospital but on the same date last year it was over 12.5k.

So does that evidence that we aren't seeing the same sharp increase in people in hospital as we did last year?

Does that count as a positive stat?

Another medicine, just licensed, for vulnerable with covid, to be taken at home.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59163899

www.gov.uk/government/news/first-oral-antiviral-for-covid-19-lagevrio-molnupiravir-approved-by-mhra

Covid: Pfizer says antiviral pill 89% effective in high risk cases www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59178291